Effects of Social Media Use and Dependence on Dietary Intake and Prevalence of Orthorexia in Pregnant and Non-Pregnant Women

Abstract

Social media use may have detrimental effects on the physical and mental wellbeing of young adults, including body image dissatisfaction and changes in dietary behavior. This issue may be of particular concern in pregnant women since adequate dietary behavior is essential for the health of the mother and fetus. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of social media use and dependence on dietary intake and prevalence of orthorexia nervosa in pregnant women and compare it to non-pregnant women. A mixed-method design was used. Participants (250 pregnant and 240 non-pregnant Lebanese women) filled a questionnaire assessing social media use and dependence, intuitive eating behaviors as well as orthorexia. Five focus groups (each including 10 pregnant women) were also conducted to supplement the quantitative data collected. The prevalence of orthorexia was 21.6% in pregnant women compared to 12.9% in non-pregnant women (p=0.011). Social media use and dependence were negatively correlated with intuitive eating behaviors and practices. However, social media use was not significantly associated with orthorexia. Regression analyses showed that both social media use (p<0.001) and having a social media account (p=0.023) were predictors of reduced intuitive eating, with social media use being the most significant predictor. Data from the focus groups revealed that pregnant women felt that social media was negatively affecting their eating behavior, through an increase in appearance comparison as well as visual hunger. The latter was increased in the stressful context of the Lebanese economic collapse which reduced food accessibility, in addition to the COVID-19 pandemic-associated confinement which led to an increased use of social media as well as more unhealthy snacking. Social media use may negatively affect the dietary choices and intuitive eating behaviors of both pregnant and non-pregnant women. That being said, interventions to regulate social media content and limit exposure to unrealistic thin ideal as well as to educate women about dietary changes and requirements during pregnancy may be helpful to increase intuitive eating behaviors and decrease the risk of disordered eating and orthorexia in this population.